NEW YORK - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports suicide attempts among combat veterans who are treated by the VA are on the increase.

One report, unseen publicly until now, chronicles suicides successfully carried out by vets after receiving VA treatment as rising from 1,403 in 2001 to 1,784 in 2005, CBS reported Friday.

A second report, dealing with attempted suicides showed the number rose from 462 in 2000 to 790 in 2007.

One of three experts analyzing the data, Dr. Bruce Levin, head of biostatistics at Columbia University, said the matter needs further attention.

Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, calls the figures incredible. He has criticized an apparent VA unwillingness to provide a full accounting of suicides by military veterans.